A popular Stowmarket auction firm has announced it will be hosting its very first oriental art and antiques sale next week.

Bishop & Miller, one of the region’s leading auction and valuation firms, will be holding the specialist sale on Thursday, May 24 at its site in Stowmarket.

The sale will feature over 420 lots, including one Japanese ornament from the Edo period, worth an estimated £1,200.

Oliver Miller, managing director of Bishop & Miller said: “We’re delighted to be offering something a little different for the Suffolk market with our new specialist oriental art sale which takes place this month. Although we anticipate a lot of online bidding I am confident we will get lots of bidders in the room due to the variety of objects we have up for sale.

“As a business we’re quick to respond to changing trends and demands from our customers, and objects from China, Japan and Eastern areas are becoming increasingly popular.

“We have firmly established our fine art, jewellery and wristwatch auctions and we’re keen to keep developing different areas of our business to incorporate the vast array of collectors out there.

“The list of specialist auctions is set to increase over the coming year as we grow our team and expertise, so watch this space.”

Bury St Edmunds have given themselves a fighting chance of avoiding a relegation play-off, something that was almost unthinkable a fortnight ago, following a third victory of the season over Cambridge Granta on Saturday.